172 Driving and operatingDo not operate electrical parkingbrake system too often withoutengine running because this willdischarge the battery.Before leaving the vehicle, check theelectrical parking brake status.Control indicator m 3 114.ReleasingSwitch on ignition. Keep brake pedaldepressed and then push switch m.Drive away functionDepressing clutch pedal (manualtransmission) or engaging drive gear(automatic transmission) and thendepressing the accelerator pedalreleases the electrical parking brakeautomatically. This is not possiblewhen the switch is pulled at the sametime.This function also helps driving awayon inclines.Aggressive drive away may reducelife time of wear parts.Dynamic braking when vehicle ismovingWhen the vehicle is moving and theswitch m is kept pulled, the electricalparking brake system will deceleratethe vehicle, but will not applystatically.As soon as the switch m is released,dynamic braking will be stopped.FaultFailure mode of electrical parkingbrake is indicated by control indicatorj and by a code number or a vehiclemessage which is displayed in theDriver Information Centre. Vehiclemessages 3 125.Apply electrical parking brake: pulland hold the switch m for more than5 seconds. If control indicator milluminates, electrical parking brake isapplied.Release electrical parking brake:push and hold the switch m for morethan 2 seconds. If control indicatorm extinguishes, electrical parkingbrake is released.Control indicator m flashes: electricalparking brake is not fully applied orreleased. When continuouslyflashing, release electrical parkingbrake and retry applying.Brake assistIf the brake pedal is depressedquickly and forcefully, maximumbrake force is automatically applied(full braking).Maintain steady pressure on thebrake pedal for as long as full brakingis required. Maximum brake force isautomatically reduced when thebrake pedal is released.Hill start assistThe system helps prevent unintendedmovement when driving away oninclines.When releasing the foot brake afterstopping on an incline, the brakesremain on for a further two seconds.The brakes release automatically assoon as the vehicle begins toaccelerate.
